Rangers: Michael Beale sends message as Jermain Defoe takes first manager role
Jermain Defoe has taken his first steps into football management, with his old ties from Rangers likely helping that career move.
Michael Beale has sent his well-wishes to the former Ibrox striker, after his appointment at Woking was confirmed on Sunday.
Beale and Defoe combined superbly in Glasgow to win the Scottish Premiership title as invincibles under Steven Gerrard, with several jobs since.
It is somewhat of a surprise that Beale is out of management right now, while Defoe steps into a role following years of punditry work.
Rangers, meanwhile, have somewhat settled under Danny Rohl after a shocking start to the season under then-manager Russell Martin.
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Woking appoint Jermain Defoe as manager
Defoe will be joined by the experienced Assistant Coach Paul Bracewell, who has worked at some established English clubs, including Sunderland and Fulham.
Woking are currently 11th in the National League, and look set for another year at that level with the play-offs looking out of reach.
That is, unless Defoe can pull off some magic.
| Micheal Beale | Record |
| Wins | 71 |
| Draws | 20 |
| Losses | 48 |
He will have plenty of experienced figures to call upon for help outside of Woking, with Beale and Gerrard just two examples of that.
Taking to Instagram after the appointment was confirmed, Beale messaged Defoe his congratulations.
Michael Beale clearly hasn’t forgot Rangers
Beale has stayed on top of all things Rangers after his exit all those years ago, and that applies to those that he worked with during that spell.
Regardless of how his own spell in charge went at Ibrox, nobody will forget his work during that magic season under Gerrard, including the magic of Defoe.
The veteran striker joined on a free from Bournemouth and would go on to score some memorable goals, including that first-time side-footed volley against Livingston.
It was a disappointing year in the cups for Defoe and his teammates, but there are similarities to this season under Rohl, with just the Scottish Premiership left to play for.
With only three points separating them and Hearts ahead of the split, Rangers need to channel some of that energy from 2021 to bring home the silverware.
As for Defoe, he’ll be trying to do exactly the same, only as a manager now.
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